About Sambucus peruviana Kunth
Sambucus peruviana Kunth grows as a tree reaching up to 8 meters tall, with an irregular trunk. It bears compound leaves made up of 7 to 9 ovate-oblong leaflets, which have serrated margins, acute apexes, and a hairy underside. Its inflorescences are cymes that measure 18 to 22 centimeters long, holding white, fragrant flowers. The fruits it produces are black berries 1.2 centimeters in diameter, each containing 3 to 5 seeds. This species is distributed from Costa Rica and Panama, down the Andes mountain range, extending south to northwestern Argentina. It grows at elevations between 2800 and 3900 meters. The fruits of Sambucus peruviana can be processed into jams, drinks, and wines. Its leaves, flowers, and fruits have medicinal properties: they act as analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and sudorific agents. The wood of this tree is hard and resistant, and is used for construction, tool-making, and crafting quenas (traditional Andean flutes).
